Environmental Geology & Advanced Environmental Geology
(GO 370 & 511) 

Environmental Geology is the aspect of geosciences concerned with the interactions among the solid earth, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. Moreover, environmental geology looks at how these processes impact people – and how people impact these processes. Consequently, this subject encompasses a broad field and overlaps with several related disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, meteorology, and oceanography. This class has three goals: (1) to analyze the geologic processes that shape our environment; (2) to review the history of human interaction with these processes; and (3) to examine the connections between environmental science, decision making, and public policy.

Organization and Grading
The class is organized into ten modules that focus on different topics in environmental geology. Each module begins in lecture format and concludes with a discussion session – these sessions are intended to be forums for us to share perspectives, talk about examples, and critically evaluate relevant information. Environmental geology has a great deal of societal relevance, so we should talk about the interactions between society and the various subjects addressed in the modules. Because some of these subjects are controversial, we will probably have a few lively debates! Diversity of perspective enriches us all, and everyone is encouraged to voice an opinion. You are also encouraged to look for additional information outside of class (from newspapers, books, the internet, etc.), and share this material in the discussion sessions. Everyone will facilitate at least one of the discussion sessions, as part of a group of up to three students. To the extent possible, we will schedule facilitators on a voluntary basis, so look over the syllabus and see if a particular subject appeals to you.

At the conclusion of each module except the last, everyone will write a brief summary of the topic. This short paper (about 2 pages) can be essentially a distillation of your notes from the lectures and the discussion session. However, it should be written in complete sentences and organized into paragraphs. The summary paper and problem set (if applicable) associated with a module are due at the beginning of the next module. Grades will be based on the quality of a student’s summary papers (45%), problem sets (25%), discussion facilitation (15%), and discussion participation (15%). We will not have midterm exams or a final exam. Students taking the class for graduate credit (GO 511) will write an additional term paper exploring in greater depth a topic of their choosing in environmental geology.

cheers,

C. J. and Jim

Class Date               Topic                                          Reading in text

                               No Final Exam (!)

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